They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. (NIV)

‘ Thus do they not so much compare notes as compare hearts, in the review of the sermon Christ had preached to them. They found the preaching powerful, even when they knew not the preacher. It made things very plain and clear to them; and, which was more, brought a divine heat with a divine light into their souls, such as put their hearts into a glow, and kindled a holy fire of pious and devout affections in them.’ Matthew Henry

Warren Wiersbe says that the mourners became missionaries. These two dejected people were revitalised by their fellowship with Jesus and His personal ministry of the Word. The burning heart gives a person the ‘get up and go’ they need to change their plans and follow the Lord in a new direction. These two had done the long walk from Jerusalem and, it seems, had no intention of travelling any further that night. But how different they were when they realised that Jesus was alive. On that return trip, my guess is they felt like they had wings on their heels. Upon their arrival in Jerusalem they received further confirmation of what they by now deeply knew. So the two, and the eleven, were able to strengthen each other in the faith. This mutual edifying should be a part of every Christian gathering.

PRAYER: Lord, whenever, wherever my heart may be cold, I ask that by your presence and truth you will set it ablaze with love for you